Self-contained EC IGU

Abstract

Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. Also described are self-meshing networks for electrochromic windows.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 configuring a plurality of window controllers to form a self-healing mesh communications network incorporating at least one dynamic routing algorithm, each window controller associated with a corresponding one or more electrochromic windows; 
 receiving positioning signals over the mesh communications network; 
 routing, with the at least one dynamic routing algorithm, the received positioning signals through the mesh communications network; and 
 generating a map of locations of the one or more electrochromic windows based on the received positioning signals; wherein 
 the window controllers recognize one another based on sensed and/or programmed inputs when the electrochromic windows are first installed and turned on. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 predictively switching an optical state of at least one electrochromic window of the one or more electrochromic windows responsive to generating the map. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein predictively switching comprises tinting the at least one electrochromic window. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 predictively switching an optical state of at least one electrochromic window of the one or more electrochromic windows responsive to predicting a presence of sunlight on the at least one electrochromic window. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the map comprises depicting absolute physical locations of the one or more electrochromic windows. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving positioning signals from the plurality of window controllers comprises receiving signals via a global positioning system (GPS) network. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving positioning signals from the plurality of window controllers comprises receiving compass data from the plurality of window controllers. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying, by the plurality of window controllers of the corresponding one or more electrochromic windows, one or more nearby window controllers in response to receiving the positioning signals. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising commissioning the one or more electrochromic windows responsive to generating the map of the locations of the one or more electrochromic windows.